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The Greenville News Columnist Jimmy Cornelison:
'Immature' magician seeks to amaze

About everything on the walls of Jacob Johnson's room says magic. Autographed photos of illusionists are everywhere, the centerpiece being a large David Copperfield "Got Milk?" poster.

Nothing speaks more of the 14-year-old's talent than a small trophy inscribed "Magician of the Year, International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 63 (the Upstate chapter), 1999."
JASON PARKER / Staff
Jacob Johnson, 14, was named Magician of the Year in 1999 by the Upstate chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.


Johnson's father, Walter, inadvertently turned him on to the world of magic.

As a child, Walter Johnson had a magic kit that ended up in the attic. Years later, Jacob Johnson discovered it and performed a few tricks for the family.

That planted the seed. Then, about seven years ago, Johnson tuned in for a David Copperfield television special. A year later he joined the Upstate's Ring 63.

"I was never into sports," says Johnson, who is home-schooled. "I've always been into performing, because it's fun."

With that, he offers to demonstrate a trick. It involves Raoul the Bug, a fuzzy red ball about an inch in diameter.

With showmanship, enthusiasm and a complete lack of the inhibition you might expect from a 14-year-old, he goes through the entire routine.

First comes comic relief as he has Raoul perform a couple of dog tricks — sit and stay, naturals for the red ball.

Then comes the card trick. Pick a card, blindfold Raoul, dump him and the deck of cards — now secured with rubber bands — into a bag, shake it, add more theatrics, dump the contents on a table and out comes your card.

couple of dog tricks — sit and stay, naturals for the red ball.

Then comes the card trick. Pick a card, blindfold Raoul, dump him and the deck of cards — now secured with rubber bands — into a brown paper bag, shake it, add more theatrics, dump the contents on a table and out comes your card.

Billing himself as the Immature Magician, Johnson gave his first live performance at a children's day at his church. Now his venues range from the Magic Club banquet to nursing homes to the lobby of the Bi-Lo Center before Greenville Grrrowl games.

There are no elaborate outfits, no tux, when Johnson performs. He comes as he is, a teen dressed as a teen.

As for his repertoire of tricks, Johnson says, he works some up himself, others he gets from trade magazines.

As for his future, he confesses his parents may be thinking in terms of a doctor or some other professional career. Johnson has other thoughts.

Jimmy Cornelison writes about people and places. He can be reached at 298-4279 or at jcorneli@greenvillenews.com.